“We’re stuck! Now how do we get out of here?”
James and his wife Christine had made plans to meet Kyle, a 16-year-old cousin, and Vanessa, his 14-year-old sister. They wanted to take them out for lunch during their high school lunch hour. James and Christine were visitors to the area and weren’t quite sure how to get to the school. Driving down one road, they decided they had better turn around and go back the way they came. But in turning around on the road, James had backed the car a little too close to the soft, gravel edge. The back end of their car slid into the ditch, and James took one look and knew he couldn’t get the car out without help. To make matters worse, they had only ten minutes before they were supposed to meet Kyle and Vanessa in front of the school!
It was a BIG problem now, with hardly enough time to think through what to do. James and Christine are both Christian believers, so they quickly decided to ask God’s help to solve their problem. They knew and believed the Bible verse that says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me” (Psalm 50:1515And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psalm 50:15)). They were used to asking God to help them in their decisions and had learned He was a dependable, loving Father whom they could trust. And right then and there they prayed, asking the Lord God for help to know what to do.
The answer to their prayer came quickly. Christine suddenly remembered the answer was right in James’ pocket. They had gotten Kyle’s cell phone number before they left, so James pulled out his cell phone and texted a quick SOS message to Kyle. “Stuck in ditch ... can you come? Bring 3 or 4 guys to help.” And then he texted where they were stuck.
Kyle texted back that he would round up a few guys, and they’d be there in a few minutes. And it wasn’t long before James and Christine saw the answer to their prayer jogging down the road towards them.
The group talked it over and decided they would need weight on the front of the car to give the tires traction. So two guys sat on the car’s hood, while the others lifted and pushed at the back. James was in the car, giving it a little gas and steering. In less than a minute, all four wheels were on solid ground, and they were ready to roll!
Some walked and some rode in the car to a nearby “fast food” restaurant for hamburgers and drinks for the hungry crew. Then the students crossed the street to the high school, and all got to class on time.
You know, God delights to answer prayer. Sometimes He answers right away, like He did for James and Christine. However, sometimes His answer is “wait,” and other times His answer is “no.” God’s ways are best in every situation. James and Christine were relieved that their answer came quickly, and they thanked the Lord God for His loving care. “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him” (Nahum 1:77The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nahum 1:7)).
Do you know this loving Saviour who loves you and answers prayer? His name is Jesus, and He died for you so that you might be cleansed from your sins and have a place reserved for you in heaven.
ML-08/30/2015